Hormonal headaches are a very painful and seriously debilitating ailment that affects only women. Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone can have significant effects on the brain, often triggering severe headaches. Hormonal headaches are a part of the overall premenstrual cycle, and can begin eleven to seven days before the menstrual cycle. Symptoms of hormonal headaches include severe migraine like pain, usually accompanied by a sensitivity to light and loud noises. The pain can typically be described as a throbbing like sensation.

A large percentage of women will eventually experience a hormonal headache. The occurrence of hormonal headaches can be hard to predict, although contraceptives are widely believed to play a role in their frequency. In some women, oral contraceptives provide a trigger for migraine like headaches, while in others it actually mitigates the effects of the headaches. Accurately predicting the outcome of oral contraceptive use is difficult. Outside of contraceptives, the exact causes of a hormonal headache are unknown. Preventing hormonal headaches can be difficult, or at least hard to do.

Fortunately, treatment for the effects of hormonal headaches can be highly effective. Over the counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can do a good job of handling the symptoms of hormonal headaches. Treatment with these over the counter drugs prior to an actual attack can mitigate their eventual affects. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen are all effective treatments for hormone headaches. These NSAID medications can possibly also play a role in reducing other premenstrual symptoms.

Migraine medications, such as triptans, can also be used to lessen the impact of hormone headaches. Although not a direct solution to hormonal headaches, triptans can significantly reduce the associated pain. Triptans and NSAID medication should be used wisely when attempting to reduce hormonal headaches, because they can cause reactions if overused. Overuse of both triptans and NSAID medication can result in what are known as "rebound" headaches, where the symptoms emerge even stronger after the effects of the medication has worn off.

In addition to the premenstrual cycle, hormonal headaches can be triggered during other periods of wide fluctuation in hormone levels. The early periods of childbirth can cause widespread changes in hormone levels, and this can easily trigger severe hormonal headaches. The days after childbirth are also a prime time for hormonal headaches to occur. Menopause can also frequently be associated with hormonal headaches.

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